Penticton

Osoyoos car builder wins in Detroit

JF Launier from JF Kustoms in Osoyoos accepts his cheque at Autorama in Detroit for the 2014 Ridler Award.

An Osoyoos man has received the 2014 Ridler Award at the Detroit Autorama.

JF Launier received the prestigious award over the weekend for his 1964 Buick Riviera.

Launier is the owner of JF Kustoms in Osoyoos.

The Ridler is the most prestigious award for custom car builders. Judges first select the top eight vehicles, called the 'Great 8', to contend for the Ridler. It's JF's 3rd 'Great 8' car and his first Ridler Award.

Don Ridler, who the award is named for, was the first professional promoter hired by the Michigan Hot Rod Association to assist them with the fledgling Autorama in the 1950s.

Ridler died in 1963 at the age of 54. It was immediately decided that an award be created to honour his memory.

Ridler's forte was his creativity, and it was further determined that the award would honour individuals who were equally creative in building cars.

Launier was on the road Monday, and could not be immediately reached for comment.

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